Venting about his decision to drop the record his own way, he took to Twitter on March 1, 2011:
"i. did. this. not ISLAND DEF JAM. that's why you see no label logo on the artwork that I DID. guess its my fault for trusting my dumbass lawyer and signing my career over to a failing company. fuck Def Jam & any company that goes the length of signing a kid with dreams & talent w/ no intention of following through. fuck em. now back to my day. i want some oatmeal and toast. brunch swag."
As a member of the Odd Future (OFWGKTA) collective, his sound is distinctively soulful/r&b influenced, yet done in a way that could pass for something totally different. As Tyler, the Creator states, “It’s Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Nigga…But In A Swagged Out Way.”
Ocean was evacuated from the University of New Orleans to Los Angeles, California just as Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, and stayed in Los Angeles to pursue a music career. Ocean joined Los Angeles based collective OFWGKTA, who he met through mutual friends, at the end of 2009. In the end of 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as an artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher "Lonny" Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website. In an April 2011 interview, Ocean intimated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape. On April 28, 2011, Ocean was arrested on unspecified charges by the LAPD, and was released on the morning after on April 29, 2011. Ocean joined his OFWGKTA bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. On May 31, 2011, Def Jam released the single Novacane on iTunes soon followed by Swim Good Taken from his mixtape Nostalgia, ULTRA. His first 'proper' album, Channel Orange was released on July 17, 2012.
In 2016, He released the visual album Endless alongside his second studio album Blonde, following several years of delays. Blonde debuted at number one in the United States and United Kingdom.
In 2017, Ocean released several singles, including Chanel and Lens, through his Blonded Radio show, and made several appearances on other songs by artists like Calvin Harris, A$AP Mob, and Tyler, the Creator.
Steamroller
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Synonymous to treatment of the fuzzy herb, I keep it G
In places you wishing you and your niggas be
Salute the gang, bitches cheer loud for the winning team
Bring it home, pull it out, break it down, roll it up
Smell it while we rolling down the street, you niggas know it's us
We got that fire, man you niggas know what's up
King Zag papers, Juan the only nigga rolling blunts
Smoking on a J, while I'm smoking on a track
Cliche shit, stay way way far from basic
Kush cologne, I wear mines no K-Swiss
Damn, all I get is high; and brains
From a long-haired mistress preferred skinning light
Prejudice, marijuana evidence
Pipes, bong, vapes got me blown out my element, element
Every single day I smoke (smoke)
Every single day I smoke (I smoke)
Every single day I smoke
Every single day I smoke
I get high, I get high (Grams of the greenback)
I get high, I get high (Grams of the greenback)
I get high, I get high (Grams of the greenback)
I get high, I get high (Grams of the green sacks)
I grasp my intoxication, digital cinema
Third dimension, I can't move, verb suspension
Putting my lips to the purp, hemp burns is tempting
Bitches in the studio and we copped about a quarter
On the phone with her dad, I'm getting high with his daughter
Euphoria, mouth cotton, percent? A hundred
Many places I go or I have went, I'm blunted
Weed, you got it, I want it, I want it if you got weed
T, T-H, H-H, H-C
Out of no eyes, I'm so high, hashish I can provide
In your life, you gotta pick it up, cause I have no ride
When you arrive, I'll be outside loitering
I hate potheads who front like they don't blaze it
Your body needs Mary Jane, nigga, it craves it
I welcome Mary Jane, she doesn't violate
Inhale, exhale, feel the vibe-er-ate
(Da-da da-da-da) Smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Bitch, smoke it up
(Do-do, do-do) Smoke it up
Bitch, smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Bitch, smoke it up
(Do-do, do-do) When they smoke it up
Bitch, smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Baby, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Baby, you could pass it to the right
(Do-do, do-do) Lady, you could pass it to the right
Lady, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Lady, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Right now, I'm tryna take a hike
(Do-do, do-do) On a cloud, coming down
If you pass it to the right, so we can be higher than a
(Da-da da-da-da) Smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Bitch, smoke it up
(Do-do, do-do) All my niggas smokin' up
Shit, you gon' smoke or what?
(Da-da da-da-da) Aight then, bitch, smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Roll it up then smoke it up
(Do-do, do-do) Shit, smoke it up
Fuckin' smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Baby, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Lady, you could pass it to the right
(Do-do, do-do) Baby, you could pass it to the right
Shit, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Baby, you could pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Lady, you could pass it to the right
(Do-do, do-do) Puff, puff, and then pass it to the right
So we can be higher than a
(Da-da da-da-da) Smoke it up
(Da-da da-da-da) Smoke it up
(Do-do, do-do) Smoke it up
Drop it
(Da-da da-da-da) Pass it to the right
(Da-da da-da-da) Higher than a
(Do-do, do-do) Yeah
Wolf Gang
(Da-da da-da-da)
(Da-da da-da-da)
(Do-do, do-do)
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song "Steamroller" explore themes of marijuana usage and the enjoyment and community that can be found in smoking together. The opening lines, "My money burn / Synonymous to treatment of the fuzzy herb, I keep it G / In places you wishing you and your niggas be" suggest that the artist is equating spending money on marijuana to the way he takes care of himself and his lifestyle. He affirms his status within the community, implying that he is in a better position than others and can afford to indulge in the drug.
The lyrics also express a sense of pride and camaraderie within this community. When he says "Salute the gang, bitches cheer loud for the winning team," it implies that there is a sense of unity and support among the people he associates with. The artist further emphasizes this by saying, "We got that fire, man you niggas know what's up / King Zag papers, Juan the only nigga rolling blunts," highlighting the quality of their marijuana and the unique role that each person plays within the group.
Throughout the song, Frank Ocean emphasizes his enjoyment of smoking marijuana. He references getting high and the pleasure he derives from it, saying "Every single day I smoke / I get high, I get high," as well as alluding to the intensity of the experience by mentioning "digital cinema" and "third dimension." The lyrics suggest that he finds an escape and a sense of relaxation through smoking, accentuated by the line, "Euphoria, mouth cotton, percent? A hundred."
Additionally, the lyrics explore the social aspect of smoking together. Frank Ocean's words about being on the phone with a girl's father while getting high with her reflect the bonding experience that can happen when people smoke together. He also mentions encountering "potheads who front like they don't blaze it," implying that he finds it frustrating when people pretend not to be regular marijuana users.
Overall, the lyrics of "Steamroller" celebrate the pleasure and unity that can be found within a community of marijuana enthusiasts. It highlights the artist's love for the drug and the enjoyment he finds in smoking, while also touching on the social dynamics and bonding that can come from sharing this experience with others.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tyler Gregory Okonma, Gerard Long, Dominique Marquis Cole, Christopher Breaux
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Introductory line, no real meaning behind it.
Every day is unpredictable, and we have no control over it.
No matter how hard we try, the future is always uncertain and out of our control.
The environment is always changing, and we can only adapt to the changes.
No matter the circumstances, life will always be what it is.
Our experiences in life shape us and influence how we react to certain situations.
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and face your adversity head-on.
Life can be slow and monotonous, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Sometimes we wish things were different, but we have to work with what we have.
Change is constant and inevitable, and we must adapt accordingly.
We are confined to our natural surroundings and must find ways to thrive within them.
I will be there for you and remain reliable through thick and thin.
Stay calm and composed when things are going well.
I will not abandon you when things fall apart.
I learned how to remain dependable and support others from your example.
My upbringing and past taught me how to love and connect with others.
There is a power or higher force that we cannot control but can find solace in.
I have respect and admiration for the person who has influenced me so deeply.
Things will become easier once we've overcome certain obstacles.
In the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy.
Referring to the black community and the beauty of darker skin tones.
Going underwater.
Represents makeshift arrangements that still offer a sense of stability.
Taking risks and enjoying life, despite the danger.
The inspiration and influence of those older and more experienced than us.
An allusion to reincarnation, a second chance starting over.
Coming back to the surface after experiencing hardship.
Showing gratitude for the world that has allowed us to survive and thrive.
Being thankful for everything that we have and acknowledging our place in the universe.
Our environment and experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow in order to survive.
We must persevere even when things get tough.
Reflecting on our lives and past experiences.
Referring to the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Giving a shout-out to friends or individuals who have impacted their life.
Acknowledging people they love or admire.
Showing appreciation for the promise of eternal life or a legacy that will live on after death.
Preparing to take action, possibly to run or escape.
Trying to escape the pain and hardship of life through various vices or addictions.
Engaging in reckless behavior or coping through unhealthy means.
Looking for comfort or pleasure in the face of adversity.
Jokingly considering the benefits of eternal life or a lasting legacy.
Accepting that life, with all its joys and hardships, is finite and will eventually end.